Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., has resisted pressure from former President Donald Trump to alter the Senate's legislative schedule and procedures, including Trump's push for the "SAVE America Act" and a change to the filibuster threshold.
Trump publicly urged the Senate to remain in session until it passes his voting bill and lowers the vote requirement for most legislation from 60 to 51, a move that would effectively eliminate the filibuster. "The Dumocrats will do it on day one, and can’t believe how lucky they got with this Senate leadership," Trump wrote on his social media platform.
Thune, the Senate Republican whip, indicated his opposition to such measures. "If I thought there was a path to getting a result, I'm all for it," Thune told reporters this week, suggesting he would need to see a clear outcome before agreeing to deviate from standard Senate procedures. The Senate is facing a busy schedule before its August recess, with plans to address a sanctions bill targeting Russia, a temporary funding measure to keep the government operational through Election Day, and a reconciliation bill, alongside numerous nominations. Trump has specifically targeted Thune, stating the senator should not allow the Senate to "leave town" before addressing his legislative priorities.
The standoff highlights a broader tension between Trump's demands and the Senate Republican leadership's approach to legislative strategy as the November elections approach.